Archive for December, 2009

Article Courtesy of The Las Cruces Bulletin

The High Tech Consortium of Southern New Mexico, a grassroots organization that fosters the retention and growth of technology and its associated industries, will host its third annual Digital Media Summit from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Las Cruces City Council Chambers, 200 N. Church St.

The summit will provide an overview of current and emerging digital media applications, needs and opportunities in education, film, government and industry, said HTC President Gary Gomes.

“We are fortunate to have an all-star roster of panelists,” he said. “This is an important event in helping foster a vibrant digital media industry sector in our local area.”

Panel discussions will feature representatives from Comcast Cable Corp., Dona Ana Community College, Digital Solutions, IBM, Las Cruces Public Schools, New Mexico State University, Sony Pictures Imageworks and SoundView Networks.

The program will provide the general public as well as business and civic leaders’ insight into how digital media can solve real world problems and improve the economics and quality of life in southern New Mexico.

Among the topics of discussion will be how to build New Mexico-based media production companies and facilities and education and workforce development.

The summit will also provide a venue for media industry professionals and students to network with your peers and help formulate a “southern New Mexico vision” to present at the statewide New Mexico Media Industries Strategy Project (MISP) conference in January.

MISP is a public-private partnership formed to guide the state’s media industries development over the short, intermediate and long term. Gov. Bill Richardson has said creating a vibrant digital media industry is a high priority for his administration and for the state.

“The Preliminary Strategic Plan for the Media Industries Strategy Project represents a bold step forward to establish New Mexico as a leading center for media arts and sciences,” Richardson said in a statement. “This plan – and its rapid and effective implementation – is a priority for my administration and New Mexico’s economic development strategy.”

The digital media summit in Las Cruces is being sponsored by HTC as a public service and attendance is free. For more information or to RSVP, send email to info@htcnm.com or call (575) 524-4659.

Sir Richard Branson Unveils SpaceShipTwo

Release Courtesy of Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic

LAS CRUCES – The world’s first manned commercial spaceship will be unveiled today in Mojave, California, and is projected to be flying from New Mexico’s Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, in 2011.

Today’s debut of Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) spaceship is to be attended by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as well as New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Steve Landeene and other representatives of Spaceport America, the world headquarters of Virgin Galactic’s operations.

After a rigorous testing schedule, SS2 and its mothership, WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) will begin regular flying operations out of Spaceport America by some time in 2011. Spaceport America is currently under construction in New Mexico and is expected to be completed by early 2011.

For the complete press release from Virgin Galactic and accompanying photos, please visit the Virgin Galactic website.

Release Courtesy of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson

SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson today commended Sapphire Energy, Inc. for a successful application to the U.S. Department of Energy for a grant to launch a new multi-million dollar algae biofuels demonstration project in Luna County, New Mexico.

Sapphire Energy has been awarded a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as well as a loan guarantee of $54.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The San Diego-based company plans to build a demonstration project in Luna County near Columbus and Deming. The company also has a research and development complex in Las Cruces.

The grant award is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the loan guarantee is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biorefinery Assistance Program, authorized through the 2008 Farm Bill.

“Investments in advanced biofuels are crucial to improve America’s energy independence and to keep energy dollars at home,” Governor Richardson said. “This project will create jobs, invest in new technology and boost the economy in rural New Mexico.”

The project is being funded to demonstrate the technology developed by Sapphire Energy to produce a large scale algae facility which cultivates algae in open ponds to produce Green Crude which can be refined into fuels.

The project is expected to create 750 direct and indirect jobs. Sapphire has an option to buy roughly 2,200 acres of land near Columbus. With the infusion of capital from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the company plans to build a demonstration project to validate the economics of large scale algae to energy production. As part of the project the company also plans to set up an extraction facility to convert the oil from the algae into Green Crude which can be refined into a variety of fuels.

“Governor Richardson is a true advocate for smarter energy resources,” Sapphire Chief Executive Officer Jason Pyle said. “His leadership has played a crucial role in the federal grant funding for our algae-based fuel work. This is a win-win for New Mexico, Luna County, and Sapphire Energy.”

A story featuring Spaceport America in Time Magazine is on newsstands today.  Entitled “Postcard from Las Cruces,” the story is written by former Life Magazine and People Magazine Editor Richard Stolley.

Spaceport America Architect's Rendering

The story provides some of the historical background of the development of Spaceport America, including the agreement between Sir Richard Branson and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to make Spaceport America headquarters for Branson’s Virgin Galactic.

This story’s timing is great for Spaceport America because it’s coming out just before the December 7th Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rollout in Mojave, Ca.

To read the entire story follow the “Postcard from Las Cruces” link above.

Release Courtesy of U.S. Congressman Harry Teague

Washington, DC – Thursday, Congressman Harry Teague introduced legislation that would make algae-based biofuels eligible for the same tax incentives available for cellulosic biofuels such as ethanol.  H.R. 4168, the Algae-based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act, expands the definition of cellulosic biofuel to include algae for the cellulosic biofuel producer credit, and the special allowance for cellulosic biofuel plant property.

“In New Mexico’s second congressional district we have already started to take algae-based biofuel to the commercial level and there is enormous potential to expand this industry,” said Congressman Harry Teague.  “It is time to give this proven source of renewable fuel the same advantages that other renewable fuels currently enjoy so we can continue to create good clean energy jobs in New Mexico producing homegrown American power.”

Algae to produce green crude can be grown on non-arable land, in salt or brackish water, and using carbon dioxide and sunlight as its primary feedstocks.  Therefore, algae has not presented the same land use concerns as other biofuels and does not have any of the ‘food versus fuel’ implications that plague some other biofuels.

Green crude derived from algae can be refined into drop-in transportation fuels, such as jet, gasoline, and diesel that are entirely compatible with existing infrastructure and engines.  Algae can also be used to produce ethanol and biodiesel.

Recently, algae has been tested in the real world.  On Jan 7, 2009, algae-based fuel was used to successfully propel one of the two engines of a Continental 737-800 jetliner.  And this summer, a modified Toyota Prius dubbed “the Algaeus” successfully drove cross-country fueled by algae-based gasoline.

The legislation is endorsed by Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), the Southwestern Biofuels Association, Sapphire Energy, and Algenol Biofuels.